King and Maxwell (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 6)

“You been listening to the news?” asked Michelle.

Wingo nodded.

“Then you know a lot of it has become unclassified.”

“DHS told us about the nearly five thousand pounds of euros.”

“Over a billion dollars’ worth that you somehow managed to lose,” added Michelle.

Tyler looked at his dad. “Is that true, Dad?”

Wingo looked uneasily from Michelle to his son but said nothing.

“If we work together,” said Sean. “We might make some progress.”

“But you said DHS had looped you in. So you’re working with them.”

“No. And we’ve been to see the FBI. And the president,” said Michelle. “And we decided not to work with any of them. At least not yet.”

Wingo looked shaky. “You met with the president? Over this?”

“Apparently on his big-item to-do list, you are at the numero uno spot,” said Michelle. “Congratulations.”

“Shit!” said Wingo, putting a hand over his eyes. “I can’t believe this is all actually happening.”

“Well, it is happening,” snapped Sean. “And we have to address it.”

“How?” asked Wingo. “What can you do?”

“Dad, they’re investigators. They used to be with the Secret Service. They’re really good. They can help.”

“I’m not sure anyone can help me, son.”

“So you’re just giving up?” said Michelle. “After dragging your butt

back here from Afghanistan? You’re going to let them get away with it?”

Tyler angrily looked at her. “My dad is not a quitter.”

“I’m not saying he is or he isn’t, Tyler. But the real answer is up to him.”

Sean added, “We’ll help you, if you’ll let us.”

“Why?” asked Wingo. “Why open up a can of worms that isn’t your problem?”

“I think we’ve already made it our problem,” he answered. “And we can’t put our heads in the sand and hope it goes away. So the only way it gets resolved is to pool our resources and figure it out.”

Tyler took his father’s arm. “Come on, Dad. Do it.”

An instant later Michelle said in an urgent tone, “Someone’s coming.”

CHAPTER

49

WINGO AND TYLER WENT LEFT.

Sean and Michelle darted right.